QB Block-of-the-Month, March 2013 - Lucky Clover Directions & Discussion
 

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This block takes us back to practice with Y-Seams.
This is also a good block for practice working with seams pressed open.
I found that it was easier to assemble and looked better that way.

You can find instructions for one 18" version here, at the Quilter's Cache:
http://www.quilterscache.com/L/LuckyCloverBlock.html

I made mine as a 12" block and pieced it together in a different order.
The attached file includes templates (my preferred cutting method), rotary cutting instructions, and piecing diagrams for my 12" version.
For those who simply cannot bear the though of another Y-Seam, there is a brief example of assembly using squares and half-square triangles.
This block is not a good candidate for paper/foundation piecing. It wouldn't be impossible, but it would not be a practical approach.

To see the links for January and February blocks, click here.

I'm almost tempted to do this in rows instead of quadrants. Less Y seams that way.

that will only work if you do the chunky version using squares and HST.
i promise it's worth the effort of conquering Y-seams.
the whole block lays flatter (especially if you press open) and smoother.

which reminds me ...
if you find a tutorial or video you found most helpful with Y-seams, please don't forget to share the link(s) in this thread.

i'm a bit behind schedule, so i don't have a tip sheet with photos done yet. today or tomorrow morning, i hope. :o

Nice block, have to figure out my color placement now. I may even get this sewed today.

Hmmm, Y seams... have to think about it. Call me chicken:D:D:D

i'm riding with Linda(sewextremeseams)
I'm not chicken toward them but not my favorite either. OOT presently so I have time to think about it. Thanks for an interesting block Patrice

I LOVE this pattern for March. I already have my fabric's picked out & know just how I am going to sew them together. Thank You Patrice for picking this great pattern!!
:D :D :D :D

This is a really pretty block Patrice. I managed to avoid the Y seam in January but I guess it's time to learn!

I found this video which I think explains it well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08AlOM5COBU

Hey this block is in EQ7 for those that have it, could Paper-piece it too! But Y-seams are not the nightmare most think, just stop 1/4" from Y seams and you've got it.

Hugs,
Cajun

the .pdf file include rotary cutting tips if that's your preference.
i don't use the templates to cut one piece at a time. i use the templates as guides. i print them out, lay them on the strips of fabric to see how i can squeeze out as many pieces as possible, then start cutting.

if you are using the same fabric for the whole background, just fold your strips in half.
that way you cut pieces B and C at the same time.

where B and C are made using different colors/fabrics, just layer the fabrics so that one is face up and the other is face down. this will also result in having cut B and C at the same time. :)

the photos below show pieces cut for the January block, but the principal is the same.
i didn't do it on this occasion, but the templates are even easier to use if you iron freezer paper to some muslin (or - better yet - from a fabric in your stash you don't like any more or have left over.) then print the templates on that. when you cut them out, the fabric on the back will keep them from slipping as you lay them down to use as cutting guides.

if you're going scrappy, just stack your fabrics so you don't have to cut one piece at a time. :)

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Thank you so much Patrice for the detailed instructions. I'm back home now & have decided to go ahead with your instructions & now with the further details I'm excited to play in my stash. Going the scrappy route- so far not even the slightest impression in my stash. May take a year to make a dent!

i think this block will look faaaaaaaaaaabulous done scrappy. good choice! :thumbup:

I don't know if anyone else is having this problem. When I go to the 18" pattern http://www.quilterscache.com/L/LuckyCloverBlock.html
I can't read the instructions that are over the borders. I have looked online and can't find another one like it. Any suggestions?

I just went there and they are fine on my screen. Maybe resize your screen view smaller and it will bring the instructions in from the borders.

Thanks Jaba. I will try that.

jaba. I just found out that if I highlight the page it shows up.

I have a question about the template for the 18" size. When printed at 100% mine is bigger than the one on the screen. I know this is probably a dumb question but I am new at quilting and have printed only one template. The one I used was scaled to size to the one on the screen.

done
 

I didn't get it done yesterday but I did today. These Y seams were a little trickier for me but it is laying nice and flat. Only 1 complaint, we need these blocks every 2 weeks so I can see more progress on my new quilt LOL. Here's all of mine ladies.....[ATTACH=CONFIG]399284[/ATTACH]

I really like this block but I'm struggling on the block that has the 4" square in the center. I have some fabric I'd love to fussy cut but am trying to wrap my brain around how to make it work with the one big center square. Any advice? Beautiful choice, maybe my favorite yet, even with y-seams.

Jaba............your blocks look fantastic all together. What a pretty quilt you are going to have when this year is over. I love your March block just as much as your other two. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us.
:D :D :D :D

i can't answer any questions about the version found at Quilter's Cache. you might need to send them an email.

i couldn't figure out a truly efficient order of piecing for you.
refer to the attached .pdf file to see one suggestion.

once you get the top and bottom halves assembled - minus the fussy cut center - you'd have two choices:
1- sew the two halves together and the inset the center square using a 4-point inset
2- use a 3-point inset to add the center to either the top or bottom and then a 4-point inset to attach the top.

i thought the bom was going to be all hearts.

Ro- Sorry that you got the wrong idea but this BOM is a different technique each month so we all get a surprise and a different block at the first of each month. I am sure if you want just hearts...just google heart quilt blocks and you will get tons of ideas.

thank you. i just confused myself.

Thank you Sulabug, what a nice compliment, appreciate that. Your blocks and pieces you create are always top notch and I so admire your sewing ability.

Jan, I love the colors you are using! I am loving the March block. Thankfully I will have the blocks around for a while. I still am waiting on my Camera Charger. Hubby has sent me two packages, both were supposed to have it in the package, but still no charger! But he said the next box has it in there already! I am making my BOM Quilt out of Black and White Scrappy with a touch of Red. It is looking pretty awesome, especially the Feb block. I did all the stitching with red thread.

Yay, I got March block done. I'm looking forward to more!

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I finally took the time to do this block, and had fun with it. I found the directions kind of confusing, maybe because my blocks were laid out different. So I looked at the video I posted previously and it really helped:
I found this video which I think explains it well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08AlOM5COBU

I had a hard time deciding how to lay out my blocks so I found my crayons and colored the pattern to help me decide. I kept it handy to make sure I was keeping my blocks straight the whole time I was sewing:

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I used this little gadget hubby bought me at Joann's so I didn't have to mark the 1/4th dots for the Y seams:

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I could just place it right under my pressure foot and sew up to it. A tip: Trust that your seams will match up if you do the little back-sewing and wait to press them down until all three sides are sewn together. I was trying to press mine down and keep everything nice and neat, and it didn't line up right and "smoosh" flat.

I found my block was very bulky although I tried to press the seams so they would lock it is impossible in some areas. I often went back and pressed them in a different direction. I pinned through the seams perpendicularly to get them to line up really nice before I pinned the blocks together to sew them.
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I'm going with the same color scheme all year, and will probably applique some color shapes to the open black pebble spaces I left on some blocks, or quilt a lot with some pretty multi-color thread.

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I can't believe this month is almost over already!! Where does the time go....

Did you say you were ready for April! Yea! I've got it ready for everyone..it can be a beauitful block...colorful and it goes together easily IF you follow step by step....I'll even give you my Rotary Cutting Directions so you can get right to it. LOL

Think Spring ??????

HeeHee

Hugs,
Cajun

How many colors did you say that was? lol

I just posted my block in the other thread. I did ok for my first y-seams, but I had a question: How do you press the y-seam open? I couldn't get it to lay flat, so I pressed the diagnoal one open, and the other seams I pressed away from the square. That laid flat for the sub blocks, but didn't work so well when putting the whole thing together, cuz I had places where 2 seams mattched up, but were both pressed in the same direction, so I had to stitch thru 6 layers.

So, I'm a believer that pressing open was the way to go, but is there some trick for doing that on the Y-seams?

Now I don't remember mentioning color! Lol. But is you follow the pattern there are 4 Colors!

Hugs,
Betty

Cajun................you are such a tease!! :D We can hardly wait for you to post the new block!!
:D :D :D :D

Let's just hope I can do this, I've never posted a new thread but found the how-to's and it's always good to learn something new.

Hugs,
Cajun

Hang there April is coming up! Check back in a bit. Trying to wake up so I will make sense! Lol

Hugs,
Cajun

April Thread is posted...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/blocks-...r-t217972.html

Photo thread:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/blocks-...s-t217976.html

Hope you like my choice.

Hugs,
Cajun

Good Job Cajun..........I knew you could do it & you have done a great job!!
:D :D :D :D